Preacher: Pastor (Dr) Otive Igbuzor
Text: Matt 16:18 Date: 16/6/24
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Introduction
The Church is the body of Christ. It is made up of believers. It is not the building that makes the church. The Present-day Church should be: Christ centred – Matt 16: 18- And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV)
· Rely on the Bible as the ultimate authority- 2 Tim 3: 16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)
· A place for fellowship, worship and prayer Acts 2:42- And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)
· A place of service- 1 Peter 4: 10- Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (NIV)
· A place to grow- Col 1: 28 – He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (NIV)
For the church to perform its role require organisation.
Organising to Build the Church
For the church to perform its role effectively requires organisation:
a. Bringing people to the Church
b. Turning attendees into members
c. Developing mature members
d. Turning members into Ministers
Let us look at each of them:
a. Bringing people to the Church: Every church must make deliberate efforts to organise to bring people to the Church.
· The Church should provide avenue for every believer to fulfil the Great Commission. Jesus commands every believer to go and make disciples of all nations. Matt 28: 19-20- 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)
The church should be organised to make people participate in the Great Commission.
· The Early Church was organised for Specific purposes: The early believers devoted their time to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
Acts 2: 42-They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (NIV)
The church should be organised to follow this pattern. The church is not a comedy house or a social gathering.
· The Church should have a clear approach: Apostle Paul gives an indication that the Church should have organise adaptable approach to reaching different groups.
1 Cor 9: 19-23 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (NIV)
The approach should be adaptable and flexible.
b. Turning attendees into members: When people attend the church, we can turn them to become members to move from “that church” and “this church” to “our church.”
Prov 20:18- Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. (NIV)
§ Membership class
§ Membership Covenant
§ Baptism
§ New Members Banquet
§ Create opportunities to build relationships through programmes and small groups.
c. Developing mature members: Churches should develop their members to become mature. Eph 4: 14- Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (NIV)
Growth is not automatic. It should be planned and organised. Churches should improve the spiritual growth of their members by:
§ Raising their level of commitment
§ Helping them develop spiritual growth habits: word, prayer, giving and fellowship.
§ Train them to have knowledge, perspective, conviction, skills and character.
§ Encourage them to participate in public worship (Heb 10:25)
d. Turning members into Ministers: Churches should identify those who are called into ministry and train them.
§ Ministry is expressed as SHAPE.
Ø Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12, Rom 8 and Eph 4)
Ø Heart (Matt 12:34; Ps 37:4; Prov 4:23)
Ø Abilities (Ex 31: 3; Deut 8:18)
Ø Personality
Ø Experience
The Church should have structure to perform its functions.
Challenge
Organise to build yourself. The church is made up of individual members not the building or monuments.
Jude 1: 20-21- But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (NIV)
§ Build your foundation on God’s word.
§ Strengthen your faith through prayer
§ Fellowship with believers
§ Exercise your faith through obedience and service
§ Cultivate a lifestyle of worship
§ Grow in the knowledge of God
§ Depend on the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
A child of God is special and privileged. You should be part of a church. You should contribute to building the church. Be a proper member. Utilise opportunities to develop yourself. Grow in grace. Build yourself and serve. You will fulfil purpose and destiny.
Prayer
§ Father, help me to build myself to participate in building your church.